Muslims running for state offices

Will they be elected? Or is being a Muslim just too much for some people to vote for? How will they do if they are elected?

http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/fe...-running-muslim-governor-170314044707977.html

Q&A: The man running to be US' first Muslim governor
Arab American doctor Abdul El-Sayed on why he believes he is best suited to cure Michigan's crises.
A federal emergency was declared over Flint's tainted water crisis in 2016, but the problem has yet to be solved [AP]
byRyan Rifai
Egyptian American doctor Abdul El-Sayed could become the first-ever Muslim governor in the United States in 2018.

El-Sayed, 32, was appointed as the chief of the health department of Michigan's city of Detroit in 2015, and - after making a serious turn to politics - is now running to be the next governor of the state.

He would inherit major water and economic crises in Detroit and Flint, which are the two poorest cities in the US.

Although Michigan has one of the largest supplies of fresh water in the country, tens of thousands of Detroit residents lost access to water in the homes after major hikes in prices left them unable to afford the basic need.

Furthermore, nearby Flint faced a lead-poisoning water crisis that affected most of its 100,000 residents and prompted a state of emergency.


WATCH: Trump moves to kill Obama-era Clean Water Rule (2:39)
Michigan's Governor Rick Snyder has received the bulk of the blame for the water crises for his part in privatising many key state institutions, including the water department, and for allegedly ignoring crises that have hit the underprivileged most.

El-Sayed is also running at a time when hate crimes have been at an all-time high in the country, seen by many as being inspired by Donald Trump's presidency.

El-Sayed talked to Al Jazeera about what inspired him to run and why he believes he is the right candidate for the job.

He also talks about how being an Arab and Muslim plays into the election, especially in a state that voted for Trump in the 2016 presidential election.

Al Jazeera: What inspired you to run for governor?

Abdul El-Sayed: I was appointed health director for the city of Detroit in 2015 and my job was to rebuild the health department after the 185-year old department had been privatised during the municipal bankruptcy, when the state came in and appointed an emergency manager.

We were facing one of the greatest public health crises in the country. So we got to work on everything from providing every child a pair of glasses in Detroit who needed one, building programmes to fight asthma, and standing up to corporations that had spent decades polluting the city's air. Our goal was to really focus on the health and well-being of the most vulnerable people in our community.

Meanwhile, I watched as Governor Snyder and his team of accountants were cutting costs and cutting corners. Their inattention to communities ultimately poisoned thousands of children - and those children were the very ones that I was serving at the helm of the health department.

READ MORE: Michigan state sued over toxic water disaster

I realised that the poisoning of 9,000 kids in Flint was really a result of running government "like a business" like Governor Snyder had - more focused on cutting costs than on ensuring that essential and basic services make their way to real people who rely on them to survive.

And that's something I didn't believe in. I believe in government as something we do in this country for the people and by the people. I believe in a government that focuses on people, their opportunities, and their promise. As a doctor, educator, and public servant, I see my responsibility as refocusing on the dignity and prosperity of working people, whether they are black Americans in places like Detroit or Flint, or white Americans in places like Cheboygan or Ishpeming.

That is why I am motivated to run for governor. My abilities are uniquely well-suited to the type of challenges we face, whether its public health, education or building an economy and the kind of place where millennials and young people want to invest in and raise their children in.

Al Jazeera: How has your level of support been?

El-Sayed: People are really excited about this. Letters, phone calls, and shows of support have come from all over the state. It's overwhelming and humbling.

Michiganders showed in the 2016 election that they are done with government as usual. They are fed up with establishment candidates who are out of touch and dynasties that put forth candidates for coronation rather than election.

I want to provide Michiganders with an opportunity to support a candidate who both has real government experience and whose skill sets are really focused on bringing communities together. Someone who can bring exciting and innovative ideas to state government.

I have gotten really heartwarming messages from all over the state - even from some folks who have never voted for a Democrat. Some of my supporters have said they have never voted for a liberal, but would vote for me because they value authenticity and a focus on people and their well-being. That is what matters to them as Michiganders.



http://www.mercurynews.com/2017/03/29/muslim-immigrant-to-run-for-california-lieutenant-governor/

Muslim immigrant to join California lieutenant governor race
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS |
PUBLISHED: March 29, 2017 at 4:05 pm | UPDATED: March 29, 2017 at 9:09 pm
CHRISTOPHER WEBER

LOS ANGELES (AP) — A Pakistani-born doctor announced Wednesday that he is joining the 2018 race for lieutenant governor on a platform of saving the Affordable Care Act, providing free community college education and fighting what he termed “Donald Trump’s hate.”

“I am a proud Muslim and I love America,” Dr. Asif Mahmood said at a news conference in front of the downtown federal building that houses a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement field office.

“President Trump continues to attack people like me: immigrants, people of color and Muslims,” Mahmood said. “I say President Trump has it all wrong. It’s time to get tough on hate. California must be the leader of the Trump resistance, and I will fight him every step of the way.”

The pulmonologist said he came to the United States because he wanted his family to live in a place “that celebrates diversity and tolerance.”

Born in a small, rural village, Mahmood moved to Kentucky in the 1990s to complete medical school. He came to Southern California in 2000 and lives near Los Angeles with his wife and three teenage children.

As a first-time candidate, Mahmood’s challenge is to build a statewide coalition, potentially anchored to civil rights. He starts as a virtual unknown and Muslims make up a tiny percentage of people living in California.

To be competitive and grow beyond a niche candidacy, he must craft a message that resonates with the large, diverse pool of voters in a state that is home to 1 of every 8 Americans.

Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom, the incumbent, is barred by term limits from seeking a third term and is running for governor.

 

Naw, he has the advantage in California. All he has to do is have white Democrat supporters incessantly rant and declare that anyone who doesn't vote for him is a racist, bigot and Islamophobe. White Democrat guilt will win the day for him. Or does he have a Latino trangender as an opponent? That could give him some real trouble in the Democratic primary.

 

I remember when the question was, do you think a roman catholic can win an election?

 

Given the state of the Democratic and Republican parties now might be a good time to fire up a Muslim party.
What baggage do they have besides Sharia law and terrorism?

If nothing else i would give them credit for better integrity. They are less likely to hide from who/what they are.

 

Yes, they have good old-fashioned religious morals. Right wingers really should love Muslims. The more conservative, the better!

 

Blacks in the city are not going to vote for a muslim because they are rightfully so resentful of them..

They tell me "A black man can get arrested for WWB in dearborn, Walking While Black.."

The gov spends tons of money of the muslim areas and the difference in city codes crossing from detroit to dearborn is night and day..

 

I'm not likely to vote for a Muslim and I support President Trump (gives me a thrill to say that) but if he meets the requirements to get on the ballot, I'm not going to bitch about it. If he won, I'd move.

 

Agree. Phony Prissies like Pence ought to approve of women having to be covered in public.

 

You got that right.

Interesting how liberals have so much love for Muslim conservatives and hate for republican conservatives.

 

Don't confuse them with logic. Anyway, just wanted to say I liked your avatar. It made me think of the pizza joint that advertised Black Olives Matter.

 

One of the two regularly attempts to impose their morals on said liberals, while the other is a minority with no such ambitions in the US at present.

 

No confusion here. I just try to point out the hypocrisy no mater where i find it. This country reminds me of the song written by Tom T Hall and sung so well by Jeannie C Riley, Harper Valley PTA. "Well, this is just a little Peyton Place and we're all Harper Valley hypocrites"

Did you know that in the animal rescue/adoption field there is what is called black dog syndrome? Black dogs are statistically less likely to be adopted than other colors. I have 2 black Lab/Border Collie mixes.

 

You like to lob false accusations and then scurry off like a dog that lost a fight, you mean.

 

Ahhh yes, but it goes both ways now doesn't it?

Im here, to damn old to scurry anywhere. What you got?

 

It's not a matter of liberals "loving" Muslims and "hating" Christians or social conservatives. I pointed out that one of these groups has a lot of power in America and attempts to dictate how everyone lives through our political and legal system. Liberals naturally have a negative response to this and to the beliefs and attitudes of these people, just as they (you) have a negative response to the liberals. The Muslims are like Hindus in this country - they're a small minority with no political power over any of us, no matter which way we happen to lean politically. There is no comparison.

 

I wont disagree with you but i would be remiss if i didn't point out that the liberals have just as much if not more power to dictate how everyone lives through our political and legal system.

True, neither Muslims nor Hindus have that kind of clout as yet. Perhaps they should. I can honestly say i have never met a Muslim or Hindu that i disliked. I have met a fair share (proportionally) both here and abroad.

 

Hate crimes encouraged by Trump's presidency ... pure fantasy.

 

Muslims running for office should have to sign a 'no Sharia law' pledge and be prohibited from having a prayer rug on public land.

 

As christers displaying crosses in public buildings

 

How about a Muslim arbitration service on civil matters? Hoe does someone using a prayer rug harm you?

 

This is hypocritical... liberals in this country (and more so in the UK) complained about 'religion' (mainly Christianity) and how oppressive it was and then turn around and even ponder this... oppressive? Peeps, you ain't seen nothing yet...

 

I’m sure there will be people who would refuse to vote for him simply based on his religion or background but then lots of candidates will have characteristics some voters would discriminate against (age, gender, background, family etc.) so it needed automatically prevent him from winning.

Hopefully most people will judge the candidates as individuals rather than on the basis of presumed stereotypes. This interview suggests that he is a fairly standard government official moving in to elected politics with nothing to suggest his background would cause any issues. Ultimately, I don’t see why he shouldn’t be treated like any other political candidate.

 

I knew it. Silly isn't it? I have two labs one black, one chocolate. Now, back to politics...maybe this sounds like a conspiracy theory. I have long thought it is all part of a master plan to put Muslims in our legislature. And that it will not bode well for the U.S.

 

Sharia law and terrorism would be the end of our democracy, our freedoms, and our way of life.

 

Crossing into Dearborn Michigan is like entering a totally different country. Store front signs are in Arabic and not English. Non-Muslims are no longer welcome. They even want Sharia law and customs.